Presidential Debate/Forums: Pros & Cons

Philippines
February 16, 2010 7:12am CST
Hello Lotters, I noticed there has been a lot of forums/debates involving Presidential Candidates here in the Philippines. there was not much of a debate way back 2004 Elections because Gloria didn't want to debate with the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. even she knew he wasn't that much of a match. Are you aware that These Debates were imitated from the US before their Presidential Elections? they have at least 8 candidates per party and two known popular parties there were republicans and democrats. i don't know how they end up choosing two rivalries (hope a US mylotter would educate us, there was a proces i just forgot) but in our country, the 7 candidates will keep on campaigning and participating in the forums and debates until the election. Unfortunately, Comelec should be the one Initiating Events like these instead of the media so that there won't be BIAS. the Pros of these debates is you get to kow how they answer questions on issues and let's you know what initiatives they have given one minute of their limited time. lastly, to site how clear are they in terms of handling problems of the country. The cons of these are they aren't able to campaign properly because people are getting the wrong impression on how they will run the country, a candidate is already complaining that these debates/forums is costing the campaign a lot because they can't fully detail their platform and thus, only few people are seeing them in the debates. So, what do you think of our On these Forums/debates, are they helping us getting to know the candidates better or it's more confusing than we thought
1 person likes this
6 responses
@hexeduser22 (7419)
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
COMELEC got their hands tied to those counting machines so if they will be the one initiating the debate/forum they will surely be out of scheduled. They are already delayed right now without even initiating a single event but only focusing on the counting machines. I like those debates but in some point the candidates are right when they say it's costing their campaigns but it's one of the ways they get to be televised nationwide without costing them a penny. I think majority of those who watched the debates have already chosen their president and they are just watching to see how their candidates would fare in the debate. It's also a way to criticize the opponent candidate
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Feb 10
Hello hexeduser, you're right. as much as i hated comelec not being initiative in this debates i guess i have to accept the fact that they can't focus on these events right now. the presidential debates had been an eye opener for people who can afford watch tv. i hope the poor would be able to see this.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Yes dear these Debates were imitated from the US. I've actually watched them but I am enjoying more our own Presidential Candidates here. It is actually very helpful in deciding which candidate to choose. It is somewhat confusing in a way that even if you have already selected one, you become fickle-minded when you hear another candidate talking with more sense. Is it not? The recent Presidential candidates also revealed the level of intelligence of these candidates. Erap is a big loser in this area. He showed his below average intelligence. How poor his reasoning power is. Did you see how he could not even understand as simple question like What vices or luxuries he could not give up? It took around three times of repeating the question and not until the interrogator translated the question in Tagalog were he able to understand the question. Actually he was able to answer the question even without understanding it clearly. He was telling life's instead of vice. My goodness! And then the worse part was when he answered... his answer was not even applicable. He considered helping the poor as "luho" and even worst was his "pala" even clapped with that stupid answer. Ay yay yay yay Erap! You should rather rest and use your remaining life with Laarni or whoever of your many wives deserves so! Gilbert Teodoro is the most sensible of all the candidates! I now want to vote for him. I am just so sorry for him because he still could not win the people's heart despite this.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Gibo has been showing he is a fine gentleman! He is a picture of a truly professional and educated person.I felt this man deserved the Presidency when I saw his good gestures on TV but sadly I don't see any signs that he will make it. Surveys are good gauge and so far he has not placed impressively. The platform of the candidates have been really blurred as of this moment and I think they should be more specific at this point in time. Time is getting shorter.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hello salonga, Erap won't and doesn't have a chance since forums had been happening lately. If he's a true leader he should take a stand even though he thinks they are bias. Look at Gibo teodoro, he didn't show any anger or feel insulted when he was asked a lot by ted failon because he can't get a yes or no from him. but he answered calmly. but having him unable to answer simple yes or no is also makes me think why it had to go that far, i hope he isn't or never got involved an "whatever" gma has done. sadly, salonga, i haven't seen any of his platforms since last night, I've been searching for the candidates platfroms.even gordon doesn't have one. Erap won't thave the balls to compete or debate with other candidates. he should just give it up.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
I agree with you regarding Erap. He didn't showed up on any other forums/debates conducted at schools or some other places after that incident at UST i think. I was expecting to hear his answers when there was a forum conducted at our school, but yeah, he probably got scared of the students and decided to now to come.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
16 Feb 10
confusing maybe, in one way. there are a lot of people that already made up their minds, as who they will vote for, even as the campaign period has not been started. but good thing to know that there are forums and debates initiated by some people and organizations. we can have more time to think, more options, more platform to choose, more more more. aaaaahhhh, confusing, really buddy.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hello neildc, But the debates are givng us an idea at least give us less time to think too much on who is better. organizations that support these candidates only wanted to show their good side so that they will be tempted to vote them. well, wqe have to know more or else we might make the same mistake again just like what we did when we voted Erap or GLoria. have a nice day. hey, pull yourself together.
@dorothy09 (1520)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
hi there letranknight, you know what I agree with you US should educate us especially our comelec people...everything is possible if only people are quite honest enought. what happen to our country even our comelec are influence by candidates and they have their won bet.If they would implement jUst one opposition and one administration candidate then, I think better. Lately Noy2x aquino requested a debate with Mr. Villar, hopefully that will happen because villar seems to have many allibias. He even said Debate is just a waste of money. Look at his TV commercial duhhhhh how much is he spending on it. Yes another point is Comelec should be the one organizing the debates..because it will only come out BIAS if organize by other parties... I supposed the comelecs reason is they have no money and budget for the debate.. I would rather listen to debates than listening to their irritating commercials.. just full of promises and when you are in the position you just forget everthing. Best Regards and Happy mylotting =d09:)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hello Dorothy, Well, Comelec officials actually went to US during the time of their Presidential Campaign and the Elections. they said they learned a lot from them. and now, with the help of the media the forums began but some how i sense that the media was a bit bias with Noynoy aquino. I need to see the latestdebate in PCCI were it was rumored noynoy went mad at the moderator there claiming it was bias. comelec is at it's most delays. have you been watching the debates, how did it go for you? was it nice.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
17 Feb 10
Hi Letran, For me, these debates will help me know the candidates better. The debates are meant to enlighten us (though that end hasn't been actually reached so far) and I appreciate the fact the some groups are doing this coz apparently the COMELEC can't, or won't? For one, I had the faintest idea whom to vote for, but when these debates started airing I got a fairly good grasp of who knows what they're trying to get into, and those who just want to get the top post, without any plan at all. I wish there'll be more of these coz I've missed some and I really want to know my candidates better. I know that every election raises hope in us for a better governance, and time and again we've been disappointed. But this coming election I see some candidates who seem to have what it takes to deliver, but I don't want to make my decision in haste, otherwise I'll regret my decision again.
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hello Doryvien, Well, there are more debates to come and unfortunately, we haven't been able to see the true colors of these candidates since some one did saythey are good public speakers, how come i didn't get that on my head. btu atleast this forum, gives us insights onhow would they addressed the issues, too bad if they feel disappointed and they feel that it's costing the campaign, at least one did.
@Danzylop (1120)
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
I have actually lots of things to answer but I want it to be shorten. Pros and Cons? ok. Lets start with the good side of it. When we have this debates, we hear something to hope for. and then the bad side of it is that Politicians are trained public speakers. They know just how to fool us. and guess what, after this election, expect that those who plan to run again will start to practice public speaking. wew! Therefore expect that the next debaters are Utopian dreamers!
• Philippines
17 Feb 10
Hello Danzy, Again, Hahaha you got a point there too. I wish those other debaters from friendster would go here and have their own share here too bad they just didn't have the interest. well, at least they are being asked for their agenda so that the public will have at least have the idea on what they are thinking or planning for the country, even if there'sa saying that politicians say something and do something...differently. it's never been bad to dream but are they awake from the reality when ever they speak out of their mouths.